THE BLOOD MATE

CHAPTER 4 - THE PLAN

Laura turns to me immediately with the prince's disappearance, "Come Bela." She commands in a solemn tone, leading the way out of the hall and into more private rooms.

I hear Moira ordering Alec to clean this mess up and keep an eye on the prince before she's making her way after us. Laura searches for a suitable room. The one she chooses is decorated with a library on one side, stacked with books resting on white shelves, and a wall length fire on the other, offering comfortable seating for the guests. My family love their books, knowledge is our fuel, so it makes sense that my sisters would decide that this is a good place to gather our thoughts. I seat Nate by the roaring fire, squatting in front of him to see his wounds. I release an aggravated hiss at the sight of the damage done to his face. The swelling has started and blackness is beginning to shadow under his eyes, leaving puffy bags. His neck is in no better condition, with deep claw marks ripping from the front towards his shoulders and back. He gives me a hesitant smile, dimples on each side. He must be in so much pain. Biting into the side of my hand, I lift it up, offering it to him as I press the blood to his lips. He latches on, his eyes closing in bliss as he holds my wrist tightly forcing me to stretch up so he doesn't have to move much. I suck in air at the pleasure knotting in my stomach as his lips hungrily take what I am offering. I grit my teeth to stop a moan from leaving my own lips, commanding myself to remember that my sisters are standing in the room with us. They are silent the entire exchange, pouring themselves a drink from the dispenser and seating themselves next to each other. Moira and Laura are identical twins. Both with blonde hair, creamy colored skin and dark blue eyes. Their scent is the only thing that distinguishes one from the other and Laura's short-cut hair. Apart from their faces, they also both share a love for whiskey and are certainly throwing it back now.

"What are we going to do?" I ask, getting straight to the point as Nate leans back, his face and neck completely healed.

The twins seem hesitant to speak, a true miracle when it comes to Moira. It's no surprise when Moira is the first one to speak, her lips pressed thinly together as if she is about to deliver bad news.

"This is the Authority we are talking about. We are going to do nothing Bela, our hands are tied. They won't hesitate to wipe us out, especially an enraged prince." She sighs, pressing two fingers to her forehead as if trying to still a raging headache.

I clench my teeth, confused by her heartless words, "I will rather die than let Nate anywhere near Lazarus again!" I tell my sisters, meaning every word.

"Perhaps, but the prince won't kill his own mate. He'll just kill the rest of us." Moira attempts to reason, "His threat was very real Bela, and that man will not give second chances or are you forgetting the kind nickname everyone has given him?" She asks sarcastically.

"What he has done is completely legal and while it would have been of no consequence if it were just another werewolf challenging Nate, it is not the case." Laura interrupts as I'm about to respond to Moira. Always calm, always collected, Laura continues, "He would destroy us Belavina and it would not even be considered a war. We cannot go against the Authority. It just cannot be done."

"He'll kill Nate!" I scream. Aren't they paying attention, don't they understand what's at stake here? "Only one person can walk away from a challenge!"

"We are aware of that." Moira states, pity filling her eyes. And then I realized exactly what's going on.

"You don't care if Nate dies." I mutter as Nate freezes beside me, suddenly understanding the situation.

The twins exchange an uneasy look between themselves. They seem hesitant to respond and say exactly what is on their mind.

"As unfortunate as this situation is, it's also like winning the golden ticket. What are the chances that a prince, and not just any prince, is your second mate? Considering that your first is only an omega."

I watch Nate flinch out the corner of my eye as Moira finishes for Laura, "Lazarus would be a strong ally, no other pack would ever challenge our family again. He is your mate as well, he could make you happy if Nate isn't strong enough to keep you."

"I don't believe it! I don't believe the words coming out of your mouths right now!" I rasp, "You have no idea what the thought of losing Nate does to me! You have no idea because you haven't met your mates. You do not understand! But one day you will and you will realize exactly what you have just said to me!" I stand up, and for the first time ever my sisters are too ashamed to look me in the eye. "Come Nate, we are leaving."

"Bela don't leave, let's talk about this." Moira says, rising from her seat, her red gown flowing around her. But it's too late for talking. It's too late for them to stop me.

I don't pause to give my sisters another look. I simply walk out on them with my head held high and my mate trailing behind me. He is silent as I find our driver and have him take us home, all the while considering my next move. If my sisters are not going to back me and mine, then I will have to think of another way to protect us. The servants assigned to my property, welcome us home on arrival. My rage finally snaps, the built-up energy needing release. I destroy the sitting room, breaking the expensive chairs against the floor and throwing around the lamps and ornaments. I scream out my frustration, my feelings of hopelessness and the raw wound created by my sisters' betrayal. Nate's head is lowered in submission, frozen in his spot by the door. The sight sets the sparks of rage anew.

"Stop cowering Nate!" I scream at him, making him cringe away from me. "You didn't even attempt to defend yourself! You made us look weak!" I shout, flashing my teeth, and pointing a finger, "It's pathetic!" I regret the words almost as soon as they leave my tongue, "Ag Nate, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of that." I apologize, taking his fisted hand and holding it to my heart. "I'm just so, so angry." I tell him, tears filling my eyes.

Nate excuses himself, his emotions easy to see. I let him go. I can tell that he is upset and just wants to be alone with his thoughts. I have the in-house chef make us food even though it's getting late and I gave him the night off. He doesn't seem to mind, sensing that something is horribly wrong. He makes my favorite, Mac and Cheese, with cheese chips crushed on top, which I waste no time devouring. Nate finds me in the dining room, slipping some hot chocolate with a plate of food on the side for him. He is dressed comfortably in light gray sweatpants and a plain t-shirt. I love how good he looks even when he isn't trying.

"I'm not hungry." He mumbles, taking a seat and running his hands through his semi-wet hair.

My heart crumbles at the sight of him clearly sulking. I immediately rise from my seat, rounding the corner of the table between us and straddle his lap. He turns his face away, letting his arms fall to the sides. I place two manicured fingers under his chin, lifting it and forcing him to look at me. I give him a small smile.

He swallows, as if afraid to say what's on his mind, "Your sisters are right. He would do far more for you than I ever..."

I place my palm over his mouth, silencing his unacceptable words as I frown. "My sisters can go f**k themselves." I lean in, so that my cheek is pressed against his and my lips are inches away from his ear, "You and I are leaving tonight."

His head shoots back, eyes searching mine desperately, trying to see if I'm telling the truth, "You will be giving up everything! Your status, your inheritance, your family... I cannot ask that of you."

I wrap my arms around his neck as I place a kiss on his full lips, "You are my everything." I mutter as he deepens the kiss, grabbing hold of my thighs and pressing me against his toned body.

He feels so good as his adventurous hands run under the silk robe that I still have on - sending sensations of pleasure running across my skin like fire, flushing my face with the heat of desire. I roll my eyes back, letting my head tilt to the side as Nate's roaming lips leave a blaze of trails across my cheek and down my neck towards his mark, forever indented in my smooth flesh. I'm not even surprised when I feel the sharp points of his canines before he sinks his teeth into my neck. I understand his need to feel connected to me in a way that far surpasses that of s*x. Biting into his mating mark gives us both the comfort we are so desperately needing right now as well as extraordinary amounts of pleasure. It feels like we are at the peak of an orgasm, mentally connected and feeding off each other's emotions. I can feel everything Nate is trying to hide from me. All the fear and uncertainty, all the anger that he's holding onto and just isn't in his nature to show. I shiver, groaning as I drop my forehead against his shoulder, digging my nails into his upper arms. I remember our first night together, after the ritual when we were finally alone. We didn't waste any time sealing the bond, I wanted him the moment I laid eyes on him. It was after my sisters and I took back our families' kingdoms. Every Werewolf, Human and Witch in the kingdoms had to swear fealty to my sisters at the beginning of their reign. I am three years my sisters' junior, and at the time only eighteen when I first saw Nate. That was seven months ago. Nate was dressed simply, eyes lowered as he knelt before the Alpha's thrones on the hard stones. I remember my heart pounding in my chest at the sight, my fingernails digging into the arms of my chair as he spoke. I remember staring at him like a fool, hanging on every word that he said until finally I couldn't contain the beast clawing inside. I moved to stand in front of him, drowning in his scent as it hit my nostrils. I saw him visibly stiffen, sensing my closeness. When he lifted his head, my breath caught in my throat. He was beautiful, with the touch of youth still clinging to his features. His mouth parted, and we simply stared at each other. I pulled him to his feet, letting him engulf me in a hug - the first of many. It felt so right. I remember turning to my older sisters, and I felt so much joy as they smiled back, coming forward to welcome Nate to the family to the astonishment of many. Now, my sisters have insulted us in the worst way possible, refusing us their protection when we need it the most. He draws back, eyes glowing with the tint of my blood on his lips. He's panting, his breath mingling with mine.

"I am sorry about your sisters." He says frowning.

I just shake my head. "We need to leave now, before it's too late." I tell Nate, more determined than I was before to save my omega mate.

He gives me a full smile, trusting me with everything that he is. We wait until the mansion is quiet before making our way upstairs. We don't waste time, quickly changing into our combat uniforms. The black material is light and flexible, heavy only with the weapons I strap into the folds. I take cash from the safe, enough to keep us on the run and eventually start a new life somewhere else. Somewhere safe. I am no stranger to life on the run, in fact it feels more natural than lounging about all day in this unnecessarily big mansion.

"He won't stop looking for us." Nate says a grim look on his pretty face as he swings his backpack onto his shoulders.

I shrug, trying to sound more confident than I feel, "Let him look, he won't find us." I promise. I can only pray that I am right.

*FROM AUTHOR

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